Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of sugar

8 g of dry yeast

400 ml of warm milk

2 eggs

650 g of wheat flour

1 teaspoon of salt

40 g of soft butter

50 g of butter (for frying)

100 ml of vegetable oil (for frying)

Cottage cheese filling (optional)

Egg yolk

2 teaspoons of milk

Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

Mix the sugar, yeast, and warm milk in a large bowl. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.

Add the eggs and mix well.

Sift in 550 g of the flour and the salt. Mix with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms.

Sift in the remaining flour and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Add the soft butter and knead until incorporated.

Form the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.

Cover the balls with a towel and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes.

In a large skillet, melt the butter and vegetable oil over medium heat.

Gently place the dough balls in the hot oil and fry for a few minutes per side, or until golden brown.

Drain the fried dough balls on paper towels.

(Optional) If using a filling, fill the fried dough balls with cottage cheese.

(Optional) In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the tops of the fried dough balls with the egg mixture.

Sprinkle the fried dough balls with sesame seeds (optional).

Serve warm.